Summer Exhibition 2005

Now in its 237th year, the annual Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy is the world's largest open-submission contemporary art exhibition.

The exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to view a diverse selection of artworks from artists working with a broad spectrum of different mediums, styles and techniques. Significantly the exhibition showcases new artworks by both unknown and established artists.

A number of internationally acclaimed artists will be exhibiting their work at this year's Summer Exhibition, Included Paula Rego, Langlands and Bell , Mimmo Paladino, Richard Hamilton, Helen Frankenthaler, Chuck Close and Louise Bourgeois.

This years featured artist is the accomplished American artist Ed Ruscha. With the assistance of Allen Jones RA, Ruscha has curated a

*Pools [2] by Ed Ruscha.
Matted Ektacolour Print.

gallery within the exhibition, which will display Ruscha's multiple works, including photographs, books and some paintings.

To complement the exhibition, David Nash RA will display three of his sculptures in the Annenberg Courtyard. The sculptures, Pyramid, Sphere and Cube [1997-98], explore Nash's interest in the relationship between man and nature.

It is a tradition of the Royal Academy 's Summer Exhibition to exhibit artworks by Honorary and Royal Academicians who have died during the previous year. This year's exhibition will include memorial exhibitions of paintings by the late Peter Coker and the late Norman Adams. Peter Coker, who became a member of the RA in 1972, died in December 2004 and was best known for his vibrant and challenging landscape paintings. The painter Norman Adams, who died in March and also joined the Academy in 1972, became Keeper of the Schools in 1986: a post he held for nine years.

Events Programme

In addition to the main exhibition, a diverse programme of special events, evening lectures and gallery talks have been organised to compliment this event. There are gallery talks to attend, as well as family workshops.

For children aged between 8 and 13, who want to learn more about the exhibition, there is a free printed guide sheet. Activity trays, including art materials, are available for younger visitors to create their own artworks.

Dates And Opening Hours

The Summer Exhibition is open to the public until the 15th of August 2005.